Aerosol dispensers



Jan. 15, 1957 E. H. GREEN AEROSOL DISPENSERS Filed Dec. 14, 1955 17 227672227 I Je i ard ffGreerz @k f 1% United ttes 2,777,735 AEROSOL DISPENSERS Edward H. Green, Addison, Ill.

Application December 14, 1955, Serial No. 553,055 7 Claims. (Cl. 299-?) The invention relates to dispensers for aerosol mixtures.

One object or the invention is to provide a dispensing device which comprises a unit including a cap or cover for the container, an elastic sealing ring, a valve casing, and a valve plunger, and a unit which includes a stem and a press-button, and is separate from and slidably attachable to the plunger of the cover unit after the container has been charged with a gas propellant. This makes it possible to successively use the stem-and-button unit on different containers to package and ship the units separately without upstanding parts on the cover unit, and the units to be slidably and operatively connected for dispensing the aerosol.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve which can be manipulated to prevent clogging.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device for aerosol which is simple in construction, can be economically produced, and is efficient in operation.

Other objects will appear from the detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set fort hand more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical central section of a dispensing device embodying the invention, the parts being shown in their closed position;

Fig. 2 is a partial section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l for discharging aerosol;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the press-button and the stem thereon;

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the valve plunger;

Fig. 5 is a perspective of the elastic ring which forms the top of the valve chamber; and

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

The invention is exemplified in a device which comprises a sheet metal cover or cap generally designated 10 on a container 9. The cover or cap includes a rolled rim 11 extending over a composition sealing gasket 12 which fits over the rim of the mouth of the container, a tubular member 13 which extends downwardly in the mouth of the container to a bottom wall 14 and a tubular upstanding member 15. A ring or gasket 16 of rubber or other suitable elastic material is secured in the upper end of tubular member 15 which has a top-wall 19 and an inturned shoulder 17. A valve casing formed of suitable sheet metal and generally designated 18 has a flange at its upper end which is confined with the marginal portion of the ring 16 on shoulder 17 in the tubular member 15. The elastic ring 16 forms an airtight closure or seal for the upper end of the chamber 22 in the cas ing 18. The open upper end of a dip tube 23 formed of suitable plastic material terminates in the chamber 22. Tube 23 extends through and is secured in the bottom of casing 18 and terminates adjacent the bottom of 2,777,735 Patented Jan. 15, 1957 ice the container, as well understood in the art, for conducting fluid into the chamber 22.

A valve plunger 25 controls the outflow of fluid from the chamber 22 and also functions as an inlet check valve while the receptacle is being charged with propellant. Plunger 25 is slidable in chamber 22, has an annular seat 26 on its upper end which is adapted to engage the underface of elastic ring 16 for cutting 011 the discharge of fluid from chamber 22. A spring 27 between the bottom of casing 18 and the shoulder 28 on plunger 25, urges the plunger 25 against the elastic ring 16 and permits said plunger to be moved away from said ring. The plunger 25 slidably fits in the casing 18 and is provided with flats 29 or may be loosely fitted in the casing for the flow of fluid from the lower part of chamber 22 to the portion thereof above the plunger. When the plunger 25 is seated against ring 16, the chamber 22 will be closed against discharge of fluid. The cap 19, ring 16, casing 18,'plunger 25 and spring 27 constitute a pre-assembled unit which is adapted to be secured on the container without any upstanding projections above the cap.

The means for shifting the plunger 25 for dispensing the aerosol comprises a press-button 30 and a hollow stem 31 integral with the button, formed or" a suitable plastic material, constitutes a unit which is tubular and depends from said button. Stem 31 has a periphery which is uniformly cylindrical below button 30, has a tight sliding fit in the hole in elastic ring, and is of sufiicient length to extend below ring 16 into a socket 33 in the plunger 25. The socket 33 has an open upper end conterminous with the upper end of a plunger 25 and has a downwardly extending imperforate side wall and an imperforate bottom wall and a pilot member 34 for the lower end of stem 31. The stem 31 slidably fits in the socket 33 and its lower end is adapted to abut against the bottom of said socket for depressing the plunger 25. The tubular stem 31 is slidable through the hole in ring 16 into and out of the socket 33 in the plunger 25 and is provided with a bevelled lower end 39 for piloting the stem through the ring 16 and into socket 33. The bore of stem 30 is continued upwardly into the button 36 to form an expansion chamber 34. An orifice 35 conducts fluid from chamber 34 to a recess 36 in one side of button 30 and functions as a spray nozzle The lower end of stem 31 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite slits 37 which extend to a point above the upper end of plunger 25. When the plunger 25 is seated on the ring 16, as shown in Fig. 1, the chamber 22 will be closed and the fluid will not pass to the slits 37 and will be retained in said chamber. When the button 34) and stem 31 are depressed, plunger 25 will. slide downwardly in chamber 22 to expose slit or slits 37 above the plunger in the upper portion of said chamber so that the aerosol can flow through the exposed portion of the slits 37 between the plunger 25 and the ring 16, the rate of flow depending upon the downward stroke imparted to the button 30 and stem 31. The side of button 39 is ribbed to prevent slippage of the finger of the user when manipulating the button and for rotating the button. A cross-slot it) is formed in the lower portion of plunger 25 through which the fluid may flow into upper portion of chamber 22 for by-passing the spring 27.

The cap it} i fabricated with the tubular member 15 straight, and with top-wall 19 and shoulder 17 for confining the ring 16 and flange 17 in the upper end of said member. Said ring and casing 18 with the plunger 25 and spring 27 are then inserted into the tubular member 15 of the cover. Shoulder 17 is then formed by annularly indenting under the flange 20 to fixedly secure the ring 15 and casing 18 in the cap 10 and to close the upper end of valve chamber 22 with the plunger 25. and spring 27 confined in said chamber under the plunger 25. The tube 23 .is secured;by a press-fitin the lower end of casing "18. This assembly of the cap, ring 16, casing '18 and plunger 25 is then sealed on themouth of the container at rim 11by gasket"12. When the cap unit is securetlon the container, ring 16 seals the top of thevalve chamber 22 andthe plunger closes the hole in :said ring so that the container is adapted to retain fluid under pressure. Assuming the material to be dispensed is in the container, "the propellant is added. A suitable fitting (not shown) of known construction. connected to a supply of propellant, usually a gas under pressure, "is connected to. the tubular member of the cap while the button 33 and stem 31 areremoved. The pressure of the propellant will open plunger 25 against the force of spring 27 and the propellantwill flow directly through the hole'in ring ldaround the plunger 25 and through pipe'23 into the container until it is fully charged. In this operation, the plunger2'5functions. as an inlet check valve.

The container assembly with th e'cap unit and filled with aerosol, is adapted to be shipped to the user without having a button unit connected thereto, and the button unit can be easilyand readily attached to the cap unitby the user when the aerosolis to be dispensed. Theuser will insert the bevelled end 39 of stem 31 and slidably force the stem 31 through the hole inring .16 and slide the stem into thesocket 33*until the lower end of said stem abuts the bottom of said socket. .The

-. button unit will then be operatively supported by. and

connected to the cap unit'for. controllingthedischarge of aerosol from the container. When the. button is depressed, as shown in Fig.2, 'by the user, the aerosol will flow via tube 23, the lower .portion of chamber. 22 between the side of plunger 25 and the casing 18, the upper portion of chamber ZZbetWeen thering 16 and the top of'plunger 25, slits 37, thebore of stem 31 and expansion chamber 34 in button. to the discharge orifice 35=until the button is released and spring v27 lifts plunger 25 to engage the ring 16. The slits 37 are vertically elongatedto increase their exposed area inchamber 22 and the rate or meter of the fiowinto the bore of stem 31as the downstroke of the button is increased. The discharg will be in the form of a jet or spray of vapor when it leaves theorifice 35. When the button 30 is released, the spring-27 will lift plunger 25 to engage ring 16 and cut oi? the slits. 37 from; chamber-22 and stop the discharge.

Iii-practice it has been found thatthe dispenser is used forfiuids, such as paint, particles of the paint sometimes accumulating at the .slits 37 and between valve-seat -26 and ring 16 on account ofthe'restricted outflow by the slits. When this occurs, the user will release the buttonand permit spring .27 toseat the plunger 25 on ring closure and aseparate .unit which includes the press-' button and an integral stern for operating the closure which can be readilyapplied to-andoperatively connected tothe cap by the u ser after the "container has been charged with the propellant without the button unit. Beforethe button unit is applied'to the cap, there is no projecting or upstanding part on the cover unit which is advantageous in prcventing'accidental displacement of the button and in packing, storage "or shipment. Thebutton unit can be easily and. readily attached to. the 'capqand 1 is readily detachable -for re-use :on others containers, or on the same container after it has been refilled. The

user can easily meter the discharge by arying strokes of the press-button. In itsentirety, the device issimple in construction, efiicient in operationand can be produced at a low cost.

This application is a continuation-in-part of the application filed by me January 21, 1954, Serial No. 405,447, allowed June 29, 1955, and now abandoned.

The invention isnot to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these maybe modified within the scope of the appendedclaimstvithoutdeparting from s the .spiritand scope of the invention. l

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An aerosol dispenser, comprising: a coverfor a container; an elastic ring with a central holesecured in. the cover, a casing secured on the cover under the elastic ring, provided with a valve-chamber communicatively connected tothe container; a valve-plunger movable-in said chamber, underlying in its entirety *the'elastic ring, having its upper end adapted to seat .on' the underfac of the elastic ring around said hole, for closing said chamber, and provided with a socket extending downwardly from the upper end of the-plunger anda closed side and bottom; means forurging the plunger to-seat on the elasticring for closing the chamber; a tubular stem separate fromahe plunger, having asliding and sealing fit with the hole in'the elastic ring, slidable through the hole in the ring in the plunger, into andout V ofthe socket, and for operatively and detachably connecting the stem to theplunger, and provided with an connected to the containery-a valve-plunger movable in said chamber, underlying in its entirety the elastic ;ring,'

having its upperqend'adapted to seat'on the under-face of the elastic ring around said hole forclosi-ng said chamben and provided with a socket extending downwardly from the upper end of the plunger "and a closed side and bottom; means forur-ging-the-plunger to seat on the elastic ring 'for'closing the chamber in-the casing; a tubular stem separate from theplunger, having a sliding and sealing lit with the-hole in-the elasticring, and slidable through the hole in the ringintofand out of the socket, for operatively and detachably connecting the stern to the plungenand provided with an elongated slitwhich is closed by. the. elastic. ringwhen the plunger is .seated on the ring. andcommunicates .with .thevalvechamber when the -.plunger is .separated .from ,the ring for the flow of fluid from said'chamber into the stern, and

a-press-button integral with the stem,,and providedwith anexpansion. chamber communicatively connected .awith the hollow stern anda discharge orifice.

3. An aerosol dispenser, comprising: .a coverfora container; an elastic ring with}: central-hole secured -in the cover, a casing secured on the coverundelithe elastic ring, provided with. a valve-chamber communicatively connected to the container; a valve-plunger insaid chamber,-underlying in its entirety the elastic ring, having'its upper end adapted to seat on theelastic ring around said hole, for closing said chamber and provided with acylindrical socket extending downwardly from'the-uppe'r end of the .plungerand a closed.bottom; means for-urging the. plunger .to-seat on the elastic ring foriclosingthe, chamber in the casing; a tubular stern separate from the plunger,

provided with a continuously straight periphery having a sliding and sealing fit in the hole in the elastic ring, and slidable through said hole in the ring into and out of the socket, for operatively and detachably connecting the stem to the plunger, and provided with an elongated slit which is closed by the elastic ring when the plunger is seated on the ring, and communicates with the valvechamber when the plunger is separated from the ring for the flow of fluid from said chamber into the stem, and a press-button supported on and movable with the stem, and provided with an expansion chamber comn'iunicatively connected with the hollow stern, and a discharge orifice, the socket in the plunger having its upper end below the ring.

4. An aerosol dispenser, comprising: a cover for a container; an elastic ring with a central hole secured in the cover, a casing secured on the cover under the elastic ring, provided with a valve-chamber communicatively connected to the container; a valve-plunger in said chamber, entirely underlying the ring, having its upper end adapted to seat on the elastic ring around said hole for closing said chamber and provided with a cylindrical socket extending downwardly from the upper end of the plunger and a closed bottom; means for urging the plunger to seat on the elastic ring for closing the chamber in the casing; a tubular stem separate from the plunger provided with a continuously cylindrical periphery having a sliding and sealing t in the hole in the elastic ring, and its periphery having a slidable fit in the socket, for operatively and detachably connecting the stem to the plunger, and provided with an elongated slit which is closed by the ring when the plunger is seated on the ring, and communicates with the valve-chamber when the plunger is separated from the ring for the flow of fluid from said chamber into the stem, the lower end of the stem having a taper for piloting the stem through said hole and into the socket, and a press-button integral with the stem and provided with an expansion chamber communicatively connected with the hollow stem and a discharge orifice.

5. An aerosol dispenser, comprising: a cover for a container; an elastic ring with a central hole secured in the cover, a casing secured on the cover under the elastic ring, provided with a valve-chamber communicatively connected to the container; a valve-plunger movable in said chamber, underlying in its entirety the elastic ring, having its upper end adapted to seat on the under face of the elastic ring around said hole, for closing said chamber, and provided with a socket extending downwardly from the upper end of the plunger and a closed side and bottom; means for urging the plunger to seat on the elastic ring for closing the chamber; a tubular stem separate irom the plunger, having a sliding and sealing fit with the hole in the elastic ring, slidable through the hole in the ring into and out of the socket and for operatively and detachably connecting the stem to the plunger, and provided with an elongated slit which is closed by the elastic ring when the plunger is seated on the ring and communicates with the valve-chamber when the plunger is separated from the ring, for the flow of fluid from said chamber into the stem, and a press-button supported on and movable with the stem, and provided with an expansion chamber communicatively connected with the hollow stem and a discharge orifice, the stem when the plunger is pressed into engagement with the ring, being rotatable relatively to the plunger, for cir cumferentially changing the position of the slit.

6. An aerosol dispenser, comprising: a cover for a container, an elastic ring with a central hole secured in the cover, a casing secured on the cover under the elastic ring, provided with a valve-chamber cornmunicativeiy connected to the container; a valve-plunger movable in said chamber, underlying in its entirety the elastic ring, having its upper end adapted to seat on the under face of the elastic ring around said hole for closing said chamher, and provided with a socket extending downwardly from the upper end of the plunger and a closed side and bottom; means for urging the plunger to seat on the elastic ring for closing the chamber in the casing; a tubular stem separate from the plunger, having a sliding and sealing fit with the hole in the elastic ring, and slidable through the hole in the ring into and out of the socket, for operatively and detachably connecting the stem to the plunger, and provided with an elongated slit which is closed by the elastic ring when the plunger is seated on the ring and communicates with the valve-chamber when the plunger is separated from the ring for the flow of fluid from said chamber into the stern, and a press-button integral with the stem, and provided with an expansion chamber communicatively connected with the hollow stem and a discharge orifice, the stem when the plunger is pressed into engagement with the ring, being rotatable relatively to the plunger, for circumferentially changing the position of the slit.

7. An aerosol dispenser, comprising: a cover for a container; an elastic ring with a central hole secured in the cover, a casing secured in the cover under the elastic ring, provided with a valve-chamber communicatively connected to the container; a dip-tube connected to the lower end of said chamber, a valve-plunger movable in said chamber, underlying in its entirety the elastic ring, having its upper end adapted to seat on the under face of the elastic ring around said hole, for closing said chamber, and provided with a socket extending downwardly from the upper end of the plunger and a closed side and bottom; a coil spring for urging the plunger to seat on the elastic ring for closing the chamber; a tubular stem separate from the plunger, having a sliding and sealing fit with the hole in the elastic ring, slidable through the hole in the ring, into and out of the socket, and for operatively and detachably connecting the stem to the plunger, and provided with an elongated slit which is closed by the elastic ring when the plunger is seated on the ring and communicates with the valve-chamber when the plunger is separated from the ring, for the flow of fluid from said chamber into the stem, and a press-button supported on and movable with the stem, and provided with an expansion chamber communicatively connected with the hollow stem and a discharge orifice, the plunger being provided with a slot for lay-passing fluid from the dip tube around the spring, to said chamber.

No references cited. 

